The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-30
RAILWAY BUILDING.
l3, 900 Miles OF New Track Laid in
1857,

CHICAGO, H., Dec 29-The Rdapdy Age
tomorrow will say "The year 1887 has
surpassed all other years in the extent Of
railway mileage constructed in the United
States When, six months ago, the pre-
diction was made in these columns that
the total new mileage for the year would
not be less than $1,000, with the likelihood
OF surprising the record Of 1882, the year
OF greatest railway construction in the his
tory of the country, it was not generally
believed.
"While the search has been unusual
" thorough and the totals corrobor-
ate the account kept from week to
week, it il not improbable tat
some scattering additions may yet
be received, 80 that il is safe TO say that
during 1887 nearly, If not quite, 1900
miles OF new main line track were con-
structed. When, in 1882, during period
OF extraordinary activity, ll,56S miles OF
new road were built, it was generally be-
lieved that these figures would not again be
equaled. In the following year, 1888, the
new construction fell to 6,7il miles; in
1884 TO 1925, and in 1885, 3,065 miles.
The year 1886 witnessed considerable re-
vival Of activity, and 5000 miles OF new
road was built-a greater mileage than in
any previous year with the exceptions OF
| 1881 and lSS2-and now SS7 has witnessed
| the building OF more miles OF railway than
| 1886 and 1885 combined, and not much
less than 1885, 1884 and 1888 together.
"A recapitulation Of the construction in
the different sections OF the country shows
that the greater part OF this prodigous in
crease Of railways has taken place in few
western States. New England and New
York contribute scarcely anything to the
grand total. Tho great middle States add
very little, and the additions in the south
ern States are not as large as many antici.
patcd, although Alabama presents fine
record, with over 500 miles; Georgia adds
$50 miles, Florida nearly 200, and Ken.
| lucky and North Carolina each little less
| than that.
"The northwestern States, including
| Michigan. Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota
have shown very considerable activity, bu,
the great rush OF railway building has been
a.. in the central belt west of the Missouri
Kansas leads with total OF 700 miles
Nebraska comes next with | ,i0l miles, al
most cqualed by Texas with 1855 miles
| Then in order come the following: Colo
RADIO, SlS Dakota, go; Michigan, ZOO
Montana, GIG; Missouri, 55i; Indian Terri
tory, 400, etc.
"Four Sta,es and two Territories, namely
| Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota
and Montana, together, show I'm addition
Of over q, 400 miles, or about one-hall OF
the entire years mileage Of the country.
"Mlany Of the lines have been built
through comparatively level country, re-
quiring but little grading and bridge
building but, on the other hand, many
of the lines have been very costly
for example, those over the Rocky
mountains in Colorado, the Southern
Pacific extension in northern California
the Atchison, Kansas & Chicago extension;
the Northern Pacific work in the Cascade
mountains, and others. Moreover. sew.
/ eral OF the companies have purchased
costly terminal facilities in large cities,
while nearly all have made extensive pur'
chases OF equipment. II is probably fail
10 assume that the total cost Of roadway
bridges, station buildings, terminal facil'
tiles and equipment Of these new lines
averaged $4,000 per mile. at which rate
IL appears tina, not far from 1925, 900, 0Ot
have been expended on the lines com
ple,cd during the year. The money which
has thus been expended has temporarily
employed large army OF workmen and
has also furnished permanent employment
to another great army, probably aggregat
ing u, 600 persons. The railway mileage
Of the United States at the commencement
of 1887 was stated To te 1885 miles
The extension for the year here recorded
increases II 10 $50, 40 miles"